Innovative Moisture-Resistant Textile with No PFAS

Commercial furniture can be ruined by stains, and this is particularly problematic in busy healthcare settings where spill, fluids, and disinfectants can wreak havoc on upholstery. Design teams manage the issue by either using a coated fabric—PVC, polyurethane, or silicone—or a woven fabric that is coated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds and includes a waterproof backing. Many of these also contain flame retardants and antimicrobials.

The resulting moisture- and stain-resistant upholstery may meet performance requirements, but coated products do not look or feel like standard textiles, and the PFAS compounds used on woven products are ubiquitous “forever” chemicals that are persistent, bioccumulative, and have been linked to a number of negative health and environmental impacts. The combination of problematic materials and limited aesthetic options makes fabric selection difficult. Supreen, from Nassimi, is now offering the look and feel of woven textiles with the performance of coated textiles, and with the none of the surface treatments, antimicrobials, or flame retardants.